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Alvering Reading Group
Usually we look for titles that are already in stock in multiples – Novelties*, Book of the Month (Penguin), Orange Booker, Whitbread – so really good to support these – however, on a couple of occasions I have bought multiple copies but one has to be very on the ball since it is difficult to know how quickly these will arrive.  I would not go down the “buying” route very often.  Members also buy their own copies if things are very tight, but this is happening less often now.

Since we are a large group we have to choose at least 3 months in advance, to ensure everyone has a chance and books arrive in time.  I have in hand our next 2 titles and we will choose a title for September at our next meeting.

* Novelties is Wandsworth’s own displays of multiple titles which are in 4 libraries.  These are the criteria we use to select these books:

• Not on the whole bestsellers – though there should be a scattering, so gives customers ‘recognition’
• Good covers which are attractive, eye-catching and give a reasonable idea of the content/who book is aimed at
• Should be a good read and have been well-reviewed when published
• Originally published over a year ago, but no more than 5 years old – though some classics can be included/books with film or TV tie-in
• Lesser known books by well-known authors – which have not been pushed by publisher
• Generally no more than 400 pages
• Should provide multiples of featured titles to give impact
• Titles should be fiction only

Balham Reading Group
In the past we have specifically bought multiple copies of titles, but now tend to restrict the choice to popular titles of which we have plenty of copies. 

I use published lists of book promotions (e.g. Richard Judy / Orange / Booker etc.) for the group to choose from.  Sometimes they are personal recommendations (e.g. after the film Mistress of Spices was released, I suggested reading another one by Chitra Divakaruni - Queen of Dreams, as we had recently received multiple copies for Novelties display - also we didn't have enough copies of Mistress of Spices. 

The group has suggested that we haven't done a classic in a while, so we shall be choosing one soon.